Differences of Bone Mineral Density between Spine and Hip in Osteoporotic Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate differences and correlations of spine and hip region BMD in osteoporotic patients with or without spine fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1999 to December 2002, We measured and evaluated BMD of L3 and hip by DXA in 52 patients with spine fracture (fracture group) and 96 osteoporotic patients without spine fracture (non-fracture group) above 60 years. RESULTS: The average age of patients with spine fracture is 72.1 years and without spine fracture is 66.9 years. There were no statistical significant differences of BMD of spine, neck of femur and trochanteric area between 2 groups. But the BMD of Ward triangle of fracture group decreased significantly in statistics. The correlation coefficient between the lumbar spine and trochanteric area were 0.674 in fracture group and 0.794 in non-fracture group. They had statistical significance (<0.01). CONCLUSION: The BMD of Ward triangle of fracture group had lower value, but the BMD of lumbar spine had no differences between 2 groups. Therefore in these persons who have decreased BMD in Ward triangle should be concerned about high vertebral compression fracture risk vertebral compression fracture.